Grocery cart races to new fundraising heights

AURORA | If you noticed a supermarket scramble Tuesday night, it was purely by design.

The Comitis Crisis Center held its annual Grocery Cart Races at Safeway to raise money and food for the shelter, which provides assistance to low-income residents or homeless in the area. This was the fourth year for the event.

“It was an incredible success,” said James Gillespie, spokesman for Comitis Crisis Center. “It was ridiculous fun.”

David Romero (left) shelter supervisor for the Comitis Crisis Center, takes pictures of contestants before the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. Comitis raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

James Gillespie, government relations liaison for Comitis Crisis Center, thanks participants for their hard work during the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. Comitis raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

Wendy Mitchell (center), president of the Aurora Economic Development Council, races through the starting tape during the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. The Comitis Crisis Center raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

Michelle Berzins hurriedly pulls boxes of pasta to throw in her team’s cart during the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. The Comitis Crisis Center raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

Mark Kinslow rushes to find paper towels during the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. The Comitis Crisis Center raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

Mark Kinslow (left) stocks up on paper towels while his wife Dana keeps tally, during the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. The Comitis Crisis Center raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

Marsha Berzins (center), Ward 3 Representative, hurries to the finish line during the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. The Comitis Crisis Center raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

Marsha Berzins, Ward 3 representative, piles on last-second items to her cart during the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. The Comitis Crisis Center raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

James Gillespie, government relations liaison for Comitis Crisis Center, tallies up receipts during the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. Comitis raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

James Gillespie, government relations liaison for Comitis Crisis Center, help organize groceries during the annual fundraising grocery cart race at Safeway near East Mexico Avenue and South Havana Street. Comitis raised more than $11,500 which will go towards covering their perishable and kitchen expenses for the next year. (Marla R. Keown/Aurora Sentinel)

According to event organizers the annual dash raised more than $16,820 for the food bank and shelter. Nearly $5,000 in groceries were purchased from the Safeway on South Havana Street near Florida Avenue. The total sum was nearly $5,000 more than the event raised last year.

Gillespie said the money will help cover perishable food purchases for the year, with additional money to help for the kitchen. The center will provide about 19,000 meals for needy in the city this year.